The latest short-form news audio from FSN Bureaus worldwide
Population growth in the United States dipped to its lowest rate on record this year, according to figures newly released by the Census Bureau.
The COVID-19 pandemic plays a big part in the decline.
US Correspondent Rachel Silverman has details.
IN: The United
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DUR: 39
POT: 23 "residents"
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1221population-rs-generic.mp3
The UK's newly appointed and seventh Brexit negotiator Liz Truss says her country will stand its ground against the European Union, as she threatens to rip up a key part of the trade deal that Britain signed with the EU just 12 months ago.
She spoke virtually with European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič to solve an ongoing dispute over the Northern Ireland protocol, which the British government believes damages the integrity of the United Kingdom.
From our Europe desk in Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.
IN: No further talks
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DUR: 43 secs
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed there will be no new pandemic restrictions in the UK before Christmas.
He again urged people to avail themselves of Covid-19 boosters.
IN: "What I can say…."
OUT: "…finely balanced"
DUR: 40 seconds
Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced new measures for the country beginning after Christmas Day.
The Omicron Covid-19 variant is now the dominant strain in Scotland, accounting for around 63% of positive cases.
Chris Jones has more in London
IN: "From December…"
OUR: SOC
DUR: 51 secs
Covid-19 is once again forcing countries in Europe to impose domestic and international travel restrictions, as the Omicron variant takes hold across the continent.
Rapidly rising infection rates are leaving EU nations concerned about potentially overwhelmed health systems, prompting drastic action by governments to tackle the spread of the virus.
From our Europe desk in Brussels, Benji Hyer reports.
IN: Restrictions are already
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DUR: 47 secs
Intro:
As India grapples with a cold wave, air pollution is getting severe in many parts of the country.
The air quality in the capital fell on Tuesday – from the very poor category to 'severe'.
Still, local authorities are lifting restrictions that were imposed to improve pollution levels, as Ishan Garg reports.
IN: The Delhi governmentOmicron is now the dominant strain of Covid-19 in the US, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all cases according to the US government's Centers for Disease Control.
It's a stunning turnaround that has taken place in less than a week.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
IN: "The CDC says…."
OUT: "…they're running"
DUR: 28 seconds
The Biden administration is boosting fuel-economy standards to fight climate change.
New rules reverse a Trump-era rollback that had loosened the standards.
Rachel Silverman has the details.
IN: The new
OUT:SOC
DUR: 32
GENERIC: http://www.fsnradionews.com/feeds/1220fuel-rs-generic.mp3
Vaccine manufacturer Moderna's booster data shows a third dose does provide added protection against the latest coronavirus variant Omicron.
There are already an average of more than 125,000 new COVID-19 cases every day in the U.S and health officials are warning of a further surge over the holidays.
Caroline Malone reports from Washington.